Lammens error ends Belgium's golden generation as Courtois hints at exit

Spain 2–1 Belgium: your World Cup ends in heartbreak

It is over. Spain 2–1 Belgium in Los Angeles on Friday and your golden generation's last shot at a trophy is gone (1) (2) (3). Spain led early, Belgium equalised, and then it all turned on one moment. Senne Lammens, on for the injured Thibaut Courtois, let a backpass roll under his foot and Pedri pounced. That was the winner (13). Courtois, in tears after the final whistle, pulled Lammens tight and would not let go (1).

Courtois went off injured, and everything changed

Thibaut Courtois felt his hamstring tighten on a long ball. He sat down, tried to continue, but could not hit the ball properly. Rudi Garcia told him if he was not 100%, he was coming off. Courtois said he could stay in goal if he did not have to play long balls. Garcia pulled him anyway. "I felt bad, that I couldn't play long balls, but I wanted to continue to see how it went," Courtois said. "If the manager wants someone who's 100%, it's no big deal" (5). Lammens came on cold. The error followed. Ibrahimovic, writing in international media, pointed the finger at Garcia for the substitution (7).

Courtois hints he might step away from Belgium duty

"Regarding my future with the national team, we'll see," Courtois said after the match. "I'd perhaps like to take a break from the Nations League" (5). He did not confirm anything beyond that. The Nations League campaign starts later this year, and Belgium may have to do it without their number one.

De Bruyne and Lukaku find their families after the whistle

Romelu Lukaku was in tears. Kevin De Bruyne went straight to his children in the stands. The cameras caught both of them, and it was hard to watch (3). De Bruyne, 35, may never play another World Cup match. Lukaku, 33, the same.

Your players earned €180,000 each for the quarterfinal

The World Cup run brought real money. Every Belgium player banked €180,000 for reaching the quarterfinal. The federation earned over €18 million from the tournament (4).

Vandenbempt: Belgium's organisation troubled Spain

Peter Vandenbempt saw a team that nearly forced extra time. "It could have happened for the Red Devils," he wrote. "Spain did not know what to do with Belgium's excellent organisation" (9). Jeremy Doku troubled Spain all night. Joaquin Seys, coming on in the second half, defended Lamine Yamal well enough that Cesar Azpilicueta took note: "I think when Seys came on he defended Yamal really well" (14). But it was not enough.

Yamal: Spain were "much better"

Lamine Yamal did not mince words after the match. "I think we were much better than Belgium. It was a bit weird that we conceded a goal just when we were playing our best football" (8). Spain now face France in the semifinal, and Luis de la Fuente is not hiding his ambition: "Let me be clear: this does not end here. I think we can beat France" (8).

Fan reactions

The mood online is equal parts grief and pride. One Reddit post called the quarterfinal exit "a fitting farewell for a remarkable generation," noting that since Brazil 2014, this group never failed to reach the quarterfinals. A clip of Spanish fans celebrating the winner in Pilar de la Horadada made the rounds. Lamine Yamal took player of the match honours, which stung for Belgian fans who felt Doku had done enough.